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RSNA 2018

“The best AI isn’t even noticed by the user.”

– GE Healthcare’s X-ray CMO, Chiranjiv Singh, with a very timely reminder that the role of AI is to deliver outcomes and the best AI-based products lead with their utility, not their technology (think: Google Search or Spotify’s fantastic Discover Weekly app).

 

 


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  • Medmo – Helping underinsured Americans save on medical scans by connecting them to imaging providers with unfilled schedule time
  • OpenMarkets – A marketplace for healthcare equipment, used by hundreds of hospitals and suppliers to buy and sell imaging equipment in the most efficient way possible.
  • Pocus Systems – A new Point of Care Ultrasound startup, combining a team of POCUS veterans with next-generation technology to disrupt the industry

 

 


The Imaging Wire


FDA’s 510(k) Overhaul

The US FDA is planning a ‘generational’ overhaul of the 510(k) medical device approval process that will bring a big de-emphasis on older predicate devices for approvals and new efforts to streamline the approval process for new, innovative technologies. Given the changes in medical technology since this process was introduced 40 years ago, this shift makes sense and should help drive innovation, even though it’s certain to create new hassles for established product lines and industry players.

 

#FakeAINews
“Sometimes when you win, you really lose…” These words of wisdom from Gloria to Billy in White Men Can’t Jump can apply to a lot of things, including the controversy swirling around DeepRadiology right now. Earlier this month, the AI educational services company put out a press release entitled “DeepRadiology Wins International RSNA Medical Artificial Intelligence Challenge,” which can be VERY easily be interpreted as a victory announcement, despite their 7th place finish (still a strong showing out of 346 entries). The actual winners were a radiologist and med student duo from Canada, who beat out a field of AI experts, but didn’t score any press coverage until after DeepRadiology’s creative PR maneuver was exposed. As expected, the internet is not happy with DeepRadiology, and given the specter of fake news in our society combined with the importance of trust in AI-related claims, DeepRadiology will have to work to rebuild its reputation. Or they might be on their way to the White House. Who knows these days.

 

GE “Elevates Radiology” at RSNA 2018
GE was once again extremely active at RSNA, launching a range of new products and solutions, as well as showcasing a number of recently-launched or still-forthcoming technologies. You may want to get comfortable before you jump into this one:

  • Artificial Intelligence – GE’s RSNA presence was headlined by the launch of its Edison AI development platform. Edison with be at the center of GE’s future AI development, as GE will work with its technology partners to bring new data processing capabilities to Edison-based applications and devices, while clinical partners can use the platform to develop algorithms. RSNA brought a trio of new Edison solutions, including AIRx (MRI brain scanning workflow), Critical Care Suite (X-ray pneumothorax prioritization solution), and Automated Lesion Segmentation ultrasound solution, although plenty more are coming.
  • CT Systems – GE Healthcare arguably made the greatest updates to its CT lineup, unveiling its FDA-pending Revolution Apex CT and showcasing its next-generation Revolution Frontier Gen 2 (oncology) and Revolution EVO Gen 2 (radiology) systems. The majority of GE’s focus went to the Revolution Apex CT, which adds the company’s new Quantix 160 X-ray tube and Deep Learning Imaging Reconstruction platform to produce “TrueFidelity” images at lower radiation dosage.
  • CT Solutions – GE expanded its Smart Subscription CT software service, adding five new solutions (reconstruction, image quality, cardiac, neuro and oncology work) that can be acquired at an annual, per-device rate.
  • X-Ray – GE’s X-ray showcase was highlighted by its new Edison AI-based Critical Care Suite, embedded on the company’s Optima XR240amx mobile X-ray. The simple yet potentially valuable AI solution is used to identify pneumothorax cases in chest X-rays (>0.95 AUC) and immediately alert the clinical team to prioritize image review.
  • Interventional – GE expanded its Discovery IGS 7 hybrid OR system to support neuro, spine and orthopaedic surgery (previously only CV) due to the system’s enhanced conebeam CT capabilities and the addition of a new neurosurgical head holder during spinal surgery. The company also unveiled its Liver Assist V.I. (Virtual Injection) simulation tool, used to help clinicians identify injection points for liver embolization procedures.
  • Surgical Imaging – GE’s recently-updated OEC Elite CFD mobile C-arm lineup welcomed a new range of compatible applications, highlighted by the company’s new Live Zoom feature (allows real-time zoom up to 4x) and new General HD imaging profile (enhances visualization during catheter insertion procedures). The company also released a Motorized Drive configuration for the OEC Elite CFD portfolio, targeted at vascular and cardiac procedures.
  • MR – Although GE already made its MR hardware updates for this year, the manufacturer did showcase its FDA-pending AIRx AI-based automated workflow tool for brain scanning, its new AIR Technology RF coils for more flexible coil positioning during scans (1.5T & 3T compatible; 30 channel AA coil; 21 channel multi-purpose (MP) large coil; and 20 channel MP medium coil), and its new MyLiver MRI liver imaging toolset.
  • Enterprise Imaging – GE showcased enhancements to its Centricity Universal Viewer (adds native breast imaging, immediate access to patient priors, connectivity with most EMRs, and exam prioritization using iCAD-based AI tech to score DBT images) and Centricity Clinical Archive (adds embedded IT and process analytics, multi-media image capture and documentation improvements to its Media Manager application)
  • Protocol Management – GE introduced its Imaging Protocol Manager solution, providing “access, insight, and governance for imaging device protocols” to reduce variation and improve consistency.

 

Canon Medical Systems’ Really Big RSNA Refresh
Canon Medical Systems announced a wide range of new systems and technologies at RSNA, bringing a number of feature improvements and net new lineup additions, while avoiding the level of AI focus seen from many of its rivals at the show.

 

Philips Shows off its Latest at RSNA
After a busy year of launches, Philips was a bit more targeted with its RSNA-specific announcements, showcasing a number of new systems and technologies that were announced in recent months (Ingenia Ambition 1.5T MR, IntelliSpace Discovery 3.0, Pinnacle Evolution, Ultimate Ultrasound for Breast Solution) and introducing several products for the first time.

 

Siemens Healthineers Expands Portfolio, Embraces AI at RSNA 2018
Siemens Healthineers had another incredibly active RSNA, making big updates to its MRI and DR line and introducing a number of new AI-based solutions.

 

 


The Wire

 

  • United Imaging Healthcare (UIH) made its US debut this week, putting the $500 million that it raised in the last year to use, with a big, bright, and centrally-located RSNA booth (right across from a German startup named Siemens Healthineers). More notably, the company announced the establishment of its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Houston, proclaiming that they “are officially open for business in the United States!” It’s not every day we see a new player come into the hardware side of the industry, but we’re already seeing some interesting innovations from UIH and their push into the US (and globally) is worth keeping an eye on.
  • Intelerad acquired Clario Medical, adding the company’s zero-footprint worklist to its enterprise imaging portfolio and revealing plans to leverage Clario’s Seattle headquarters to strengthen its US presence and its relationships with cloud providers.

 

 


The Resource Wire

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  • A new study in JACR revealed that the rise of high-deductible health plans has led to greater patient concerns over imaging costs than ever before, while patient price shopping often leads to “confusion, misinformation, and opaqueness.” These are the exact patients who can be helped by the Medmo platform, which connects high-deductible patients with radiology centers, ensuring the lowest costs for patients and a profitable revenue stream for imaging centers.
  • POCUS Systems is approved as a Veteran Owned Business with the US Government Office of Veterans Business Development, paving the way for partnerships with the federal healthcare delivery systems.

 

 

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